Killarney Royal Hotel recently held a retirement dinner for Joe Hurley, their Head Chef, who retired on March 14 after 40 years of service.

Hurley, who also marked his 40th work anniversary on his retirement day, was celebrated on March 18. Family, colleagues, and suppliers attended the event.
The dinner featured speeches and stories about Hurley's dedication to the hotel and his cooking. His son, Ivan, and Claire Scally from the hotel's owning family, spoke about his work.
Calire said, "It has been an absolute pleasure to have Joe as part of the Killarney Royal family for the past 40 years. While we will miss having him around the hotel it is now time for him to enjoy the next chapter."
Hurley, originally from Kilkenny, started cooking at age 13.
He began his professional career at 16 in Kilkenny and trained at Rockwell College. He also worked in Galway and London before moving to Killarney.
For 40 years, Hurley worked at Killarney Royal, known for his attention to detail and high-quality food. He is also well-known in the local community for his cooking skills.